Mixed matrix polyvinyl chloride-copper ferrite nanoparticles cation exchange membranes were prepared by casting solution technique. The effect of CuFe2O4 nanoparticles concentration on electrochemical properties of prepared membranes was investigated. The CuFe2O4 nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical precipitation technique. The formation of copper ferrite nanoparticles was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Scanning microscopy images showed uniform distribution of particles in the membrane matrix. Membrane surface hydrophilicity and charge density, membranes potential, transport number (> 97%) and permselectivity (> 96%) were enhanced by using CuFe2O4 nanoparticles in the membrane body. Also, ion exchange capacity and cation flux were increased initially by utilizing CuFe2O4 nanoparticles up to 1 wt% in the casting solution and then followed by a decreasing trend by adding more concentration up to 8 wt%. The PVC-CuFe2O4 membranes displayed lower electrical resistance (< 4 Ω.Cm2) compared to unmodified ones.
